A cross-sector technical meeting has been convened in Accra to take stock of Ghana’s progress in delivering on its climate action commitments under the second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 2.0). These commitments reflect Ghana’s pledge, as part of the global Paris Agreement, to combat climate change through both emission reduction (mitigation) and improved resilience to climate impacts (adaptation).

Organised by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), the session brought together key technical officers and representatives from various sectors, including waste management, water, health, infrastructure, and local governance. Their task was to evaluate what has been achieved since the country submitted its NDC 2.0 and to help shape the direction for the next round of climate actions.

Discussions centered on how well-planned interventions have been rolled out, particularly in vulnerable sectors. Special emphasis was placed on environmental health and sanitation areas directly linked to both the causes and effects of climate change. Stakeholders identified a need to ramp up community-level actions such as sustainable waste disposal, climate-informed planning, and public awareness campaigns that address health and environmental risks simultaneously.

The meeting also highlighted the broader co-benefits of climate action, including job creation, protection of public health, and building more resilient cities. Participants stressed that for progress to be sustained, strong collaboration between local and central government institutions is essential, especially in aligning policy priorities and implementing practical solutions at the grassroots level.

Equally, the importance of robust data systems, financing frameworks, and institutional coordination was underscored as critical enablers for tracking progress and scaling impact.

Findings from the session will feed into Ghana’s national climate reporting and support the development of its next NDC, helping to ensure transparency, policy coherence, and continued momentum toward a climate-smart future.

This technical review is part of Ghana’s ongoing commitment to global climate accountability and national development that leaves no one behind.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

Elate Crystal Hotel, Bolgatanga – 17 June 2025

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project Phase II (GPSNP2), has successfully concluded a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Bolgatanga. The training, held under the flagship Livelihood Empowerment and Productive Inclusion Programme (LEPIP), aimed to build the capacity of local actors to implement a skills development programme targeting out-of-school adolescent girls.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from Regional and Municipal Assemblies, including officers from the Departments of Social Welfare, Community Development, Education, Youth, and Enterprise. It marked a key milestone in the national rollout of LEPIP’s skills training component and underscored the Ministry’s commitment to addressing social and economic exclusion among Ghana’s most vulnerable youth.

LEPIP is a transformative government initiative spearheaded by MLGCRA through GPSNP2, with technical and financial support from UNICEF. The programme targets out-of-school adolescent girls between the ages of 16 and 21, equipping them with life skills, vocational and entrepreneurship training, and start-up capital. It also offers complementary support in areas such as nutrition, mentorship, and innovation, with the goal of building socio-economic resilience and breaking the cycle of poverty for participants.

Currently, the programme is being piloted in the Kassena-Nankana and East Mamprusi Municipal Assemblies. Based on early results and stakeholder engagement, MLGCRA plans to scale up the initiative to ten additional Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This planned expansion aligns closely with national social protection frameworks, including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), the Complementary Livelihood and Asset Support Scheme (CLASS), and the Integrated Social Services (ISS) Delivery Framework coordinated by MLGCRA.

Over the course of the training, participants received in-depth instruction in areas such as life skills development, vocational pathways, small business management, and mentorship. The training also introduced participants to digital monitoring tools that will be used to track attendance, implementation progress, and programme outcomes in real time—ensuring a data-driven and accountable approach to delivery.

Speaking at the opening session, the Ministry’s representative highlighted the significance of the programme in restoring dignity and creating opportunity for young girls often excluded from formal development efforts. “LEPIP represents a shared vision of promoting dignity, opportunity, and hope for young people who have often been left behind,” the representative stated.

Ms. Christiana Gbedemah, Social Protection Specialist at UNICEF Ghana, commended the Ministry for its leadership and its prioritization of inclusive, cross-sectoral collaboration. She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting marginalized adolescent girls and expressed confidence in LEPIP’s potential to create lasting change in the lives of its beneficiaries.

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is confident that the workshop has equipped regional and municipal stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to implement LEPIP effectively. It is expected that the training will lead to more coordinated and impactful service delivery at the community level, helping to realize the national vision of a more inclusive and equitable Ghana—where every girl has the opportunity to thrive.

The Paramount Queenmother of the Mampong Traditional Area, Nana Agyakoma Difie II, has led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, to express the profound appreciation of the Mampong Traditional Council for the Ministry’s support during the one-week observation and final funeral rites of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene and former Member of the Council of State.

The visit, which took place at the Ministry on Tuesday, 24^th June, 2025, was a symbolic gesture of gratitude to the Minister and his team for standing in solidarity with the people of Mampong during their period of mourning. Nana Agyakoma Difie II, speaking on behalf of the delegation, emphasized that the presence and contributions of the Ministry brought honour and comfort to the bereaved traditional area.

She recalled that prior to the funeral rites, she had officially called on the Minister to inform him of the passing of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II. In response, the Minister had assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full support, in recognition of the late Chief’s service to national development and the chieftaincy institution.

“True to his word, the Honourable Minister extended immense support to us, both in representation and in resources, which we do not take for granted,” the Mampong Hemaa stated.

On his part, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, reiterated the government’s respect for traditional authorities and its commitment to strengthening the institution of chieftaincy. He described the late Mamponghene as a statesman of high repute whose wisdom and leadership left a lasting imprint on Ghana’s governance and traditional landscape.

The meeting concluded with assurances of continued collaboration between the Ministry and the Mampong Traditional Area in advancing the role of traditional leadership in national development.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)